DRUG BUST UPDATE: City police make drug bust on Pearl Street

Published 12:00 am, Wednesday, June 16, 2010

MIDDLETOWN -- Police searched 163 Pearl St. after complaints came from the area concerning a black male selling drugs out of the house.

During the investigation, police arrested the target of their investigation, Jason Manns, 32, one of the home's primary residents. They say he was found in possession of Ecstasy and charged with drug possession with intent to sell and four counts of risk of injury to a minor.

He was arraigned Wednesday in Middletown Superior Court. Judge Elpedio Vitale set bond at $200,000 and continued the case to June 28. Manns has prior arrests for drug sale, drug possession, disorderly conduct, breach of peace and failure to appear in court, according to court officials.

Yuvette Bacote, 38, the other primary resident of the home was charged with four counts of risk of injury to a minor and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said. She allegedly told police that her teenage kids smoke marijuana in the home and that she has no control over them. A juvenile was observed in the home drinking a 40-ounce bottle of beer while Bacote sat on the porch.

She was also arraigned Wednesday and released on a promise to appear back in court July 8. Judge Elpedio Vitale ordered that she cooperate with the court's alternative to incarceration program and submit to random drug testing. Bacote only had a motor vehicle violation on her criminal record, court officials said.

Jerell Butler, 21, was also found in the house. They say he was found in possession of marijuana. He was charged with possession of under four ounces of marijuana and three counts of risk of injury to minor.

He was also released on a promise to appear back in court July 7. Butler's public defender, Ronald Sobieraj, told the court that his client was not a resident of the home and was just visiting during the drug raid.

Two underage offenders, one 17 and one 15, were found in possession of marijuana on the property, police said.

The children in the home ranged in age from 2 to 13, and two crack cocaine pipes were found in their bedrooms. The Department of Children and Families was contacted as four juveniles were present while numerous narcotic violations were observed. DCF responded to the scene, and their investigation is still ongoing.

Manns was held on $200,000 bond and charged with possession of a hallucinogen, possession of a hallucinogen with intent to sell, possession of a hallucinogen with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Butler was held on $50,000.00 bond and charged with possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school.

Bacote was held on $100,000 bond and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

This was the third search warrant that has been served in the area of Liberty Street and Pearl Street within the past month. The two other addresses were 166 Pearl St. and 58 Liberty St.

Any citizens willing to give information concerning possible illegal activities are encouraged to contact Sgt. Rich Davis of the Street Crime Unit at (860) 344-3259. All information will remain anonymous.